In Ukraine, damaged church rises as a symbol of faith, culture

Christian Orthodox priest Hennadii Kharkivskyi leads a service at the chapel basement of the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lypivka near Lviv, Ukraine, April 28, 2024. Christian Orthodox worshippers leave the chapel basement after attending a service at the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lypivka near Lviv, Ukraine, April 28, 2024. Christian Orthodox priest Hennadii Kharkivskyi leads a service at the chapel basement of the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lypivka near Lviv, Ukraine, April 28, 2024.

This Orthodox Easter season, an extraordinary new church is bringing spiritual comfort to war-weary residents of the Ukrainian village of Lypivka. Two years ago, it also provided physical refuge from the horrors outside.